Chapter 18 - Jane

“So, let me get this straight,” Sonya manages to get out between giggles. “You’re telling me that Jane has never told you this story?”

“No, she hasn’t,” Reiner answers, his voice playful.

We’re all sitting around the fire, drinking and eating the snacks we brought with us. This is the first time I’ve managed to get Reiner, Sonya, Lenny, and Riley all together. Until now, they’ve all been avoiding spending time with Reiner. Every one of them has been so convinced that he’s using me. I know they’re just looking out for me, but it was starting to get on my nerves.

To my complete and utter shock, it was Lenny who suggested we all go camping. In the beginning, he was so dead set on hating Reiner, but ever since Evan’s birthday party, he’s been a little more open to the idea. I think he’s finally starting to see that there’s more to Reiner than meets the eye.

“Oh, man, you’re going to love this,” Riley cackles.

“I’m telling you, it’s not that funny,” I protest, but I can’t help but smile.

“Oh, trust me, it is,” Sonya laughs. “Okay, so it was our senior year of high school, and we were at this bonfire party—”

“Sonya, don’t you dare,” I warn.

“Shhh, Jane, let the woman talk,” Reiner says, grinning.

“Anyway,” Sonya continues, “we’re at this bonfire, and Jane is totally trashed. Like, I’m talking falling-down drunk. She’s already thrown up twice, and she’s still going. She’s out of control.”

“I was not,” I protest.

“You were, too,” Sonya shoots back. “You were so wasted, you didn’t even know what you were saying. So, anyway, she’s out there dancing, and the next thing I know, she’s stripping down to her underwear and jumping into the lake.”

“What?” Reiner laughs.

“Oh, yeah,” Sonya chuckles. “She just starts taking off her clothes, and before anyone can stop her, she’s running into the water, completely naked.”

“You’re joking,” Reiner says, his eyes wide.

“Nope,” Sonya replies. “I’m not even kidding. I had to go in there and drag her out, but not before half the damn school got a look at her goods.”

“Including her two male cousins, who very much did not care to see it,” Lenny adds.

“Oh, God,” I groan, burying my face in my hands. “I was so embarrassed when I woke up the next morning. Not to mention sick as a dog. I swore I’d never drink again.”

“But you did,” Sonya points out.

“Of course I did,” I laugh. “I’m not a saint.”

“I had no idea you were into that kind of thing,” Reiner says to me, his voice low and husky. “Jane Forrester, the exhibitionist. Who the hell knew? I’ll have to keep that in mind.”

“I’m not an exhibitionist,” I insist. “I was drunk. And it was dark. I didn’t think anyone could see me.”

“Yeah, right,” Sonya laughs. “Everyone could see you. You were the talk of the school for weeks after that.”

“Well, I’m glad you enjoyed it,” I say sarcastically.

More than anything about the night in question, I remember the way Sonya took care of me. We weren’t even really friends then, but she still came to my rescue. She could’ve just left me to fend for myself, but she didn’t. She covered me up and dragged me away from the party. She put me in her car and drove me home, and she wouldn’t leave my side until she was sure I was okay.

That’s the thing about Sonya. She’s wild and crazy, but she’s also one of the most loyal people I’ve ever met. She has a maternal side, too. She’s always looking out for the people she cares about, and I’m lucky enough to be one of those people. Not to mention that sometimes the wisdom that comes out of her young mouth is astonishing.

“All right, all right, let’s not torture Jane anymore,” Reiner says, putting his arm around me. “She’s clearly embarrassed.”

“Oh, come on, it’s not that bad,” Sonya counters. “I mean, you’re not the only one who’s done something embarrassing while drunk. Right, Riley?”

“Oh, no, not me,” Riley protests, holding up his hands. “I’m not getting in the middle of this.”

“Come on, you have to have some good stories,” Sonya says. “I mean, you’re the biggest party animal I’ve ever met. You’re just lucky you’re a few years older than us so we weren’t around to witness it.”

“I don’t know,” Riley says, his voice hesitant. “I mean, I’ve done some pretty stupid stuff, but I’m not sure it’s the kind of story you want to be sharing around the campfire. Although, you know, Piper has told us a pretty good one about Reiner.”

“Oh, no, no, no,” Reiner says, shaking his head. “Don’t go there. Don’t even think about it.”

“What is it?” I ask, curious.

“Nothing,” Reiner says quickly.

“Oh, come on, Reiner, don’t be such a baby,” Riley teases. “It’s not that bad.”

“Fine,” Reiner sighs, rolling his eyes. “It was during my college days. I was at a frat party, and I was pretty wasted. I was walking through the house, and I accidentally tripped and fell into a pool. I guess I was a lot more wasted than I realized because I didn’t even try to swim. I just sank like a rock.”

“Oh my God,” I say, trying not to laugh. “Are you serious?”

“Unfortunately, yes,” Reiner says. “Some of my buddies pulled me out, but not before I swallowed a bunch of water. I was coughing and choking, and then I threw up all over the alpha’s wife. Not Evan, mind you, this was before he took over. But his dad was the alpha then, and he was not happy. I was mortified. I was sure I was going to get kicked out of the pack, but Evan’s mom took pity on me and convinced her husband not to throw me out. That was a close call.”

“I can’t believe you almost drowned,” I say, shaking my head.

“I can’t believe you stripped at a party,” Reiner teases me back.

Everyone laughs, and I lean back, observing the group as they trade stories back and forth. It’s such a wonderful feeling, having all my favorite people together like this. I never imagined I’d be so lucky.

But then I have to wonder if when the truth comes out, I’ll be able to hold onto this. Technically, they were right. Reiner was using me, but I was using him, too. I just don’t know if they’ll be able to accept him when they learn the truth.

I push the thought out of my head. I can’t let myself think like that. Right now, all I want is to enjoy this night, this moment. I want to live in the present, not worry about the future.

Reiner nudges my shoulder with his and says, “You know, there’s a lake right on the other side of the hill. I thought since you like skinny-dipping and all, you might want to give it a shot.”

“Are you serious?” I laugh.

“Completely.”

My first instinct is to say no, that it’s a terrible idea. I haven’t had nearly enough to drink to strip down and jump into a lake. But there’s a part of me that wants to do it. I’ve never been one for big risks, but I’m starting to realize that maybe it’s time for me to take a few.

“Okay,” I say. “Let’s do it.”

“Really?” he asks, sounding surprised.

“Yeah, why not? It’s not like we’re going to get caught. We’re in the middle of nowhere. Come on, I’ll race you.”

“You’re on,” he says, grinning.

Without a word to the others, Reiner and I jump to our feet and start racing up the hill, peeling off our clothes and throwing them aside as we go. We’re both laughing and giggling, and I feel more free and alive than I have in a long time.

When we reach the top of the hill, we’re completely naked, and the moonlight is shining down on us.

“Ready?” he asks, his voice husky.

“Yes,” I whisper.

“Go!” he shouts, and we’re off, running down the hill toward the lake.

The cool night air feels amazing against my bare skin, and the adrenaline pumping through my veins is exhilarating. When we crash into the water, it’s ice-cold, but I don’t care. I’m too busy laughing and splashing around, enjoying this moment.

“You’re crazy,” Reiner laughs.

“Maybe a little,” I concede.

“I love it,” he says. “You’re so full of surprises, Jane Forrester.”

He pulls me close, and I wrap my arms around his neck, looking into his eyes. I can’t believe I’m here, in a lake, naked, with the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen. It feels like a dream, but it’s not. It’s real.

“So are you, Reiner Thomas,” I murmur.

Our lips meet, and the kiss is electric. My whole body tingles, and I can feel the heat between us. He picks me up, and I wrap my legs around his waist, clinging to him as if my life depends on it.

The rest of the night, we’re inseparable. We make love under the stars, and it’s the most magical experience of my life. I’ve never felt so connected to another person, and I’m not sure I ever will again.

I know this won’t last forever. Soon, Reiner and I will have to return to our respective lives and go our separate ways. But for now, I’m going to enjoy every second I have with him.